ON A NEW METHOD OK POTTING PLANTS. 131 



shown a disposition to flower, which was repressed only that thev 

 might bloom better in the present year. 



In the case of some New Holland plants, "the effects -were even 

 more astounding. Beautiful specimens, from one to two feet high> 

 and as dense and spreading as could be desired, and in an admirable 

 flowering condition, were obtained in one season. In most instances 

 their bushiness had been produced by repeatedly stopping their 

 shoots, but others naturally became so. 



I had several opportunities of seeing the plan, from its first adoption 

 by Mr. Goode up to the present month (May), and I repeat, its 

 effects are astonishing. 



The plants are thus brought nearer to a state of nature, while, at 

 the same time, they have all the aid which art can give; and it is 

 quite clear that their existence in a soil which does not impede the 

 extension of the roots till they arrive at a given boundary, is in the 

 highest degree favourable to all the purposes of the culturist. They 

 advance more healthily and uninterruptedly; and they are better 

 prepared for fulfilling the design of a free development of flowers. 



This mode of treatment causes the plants in the first, or at most 

 the second season, to form bushy specimens, so that they soon form 

 objects of beauty ; arriving at a prince condition thus early they sus- 

 tain blooming without injury, which is often fatally injurious when 

 ;rown in the old system of re-potting, &c. 



I have observed in the Cabinet that the Conductor has fre- 

 quently directed correspondents to employ soil not sifted, and a free 

 drainage ; and in this one-shift system these are the very essentials 

 to success. A layer of broken pots two inches deep should be at the 

 bottom of the pot, upon which place pieces of turfy soil to two or 

 three inches more depth, or some moss to the same thickness when 

 pressed. The compost should not be sifted, but chopped, retaining 

 the fibrous material as much as possible, and even stones, if not larger 

 than a pigeon's egg. A pot being filled up in this way, the young 

 plant is to be planted in it, taking care to have the bole of the plant 

 higher than the other portion of the earth in the pot, for it often hap- 

 pens when water is allowed to settle most at the centre, round the bole, 

 that the tender kinds die in consequence. This is particularly the 

 case with Ericas, Epacrises, ^Pimeleas, Leschenaultias, and similar 

 delicate plants. These particulars in the' general being attended to, 



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